In working with teachers, one pet peeve in writing seems to consistently emerge: lack of conventions. This new world of instant messaging and text messaging has somehow left the rules of convention behind. As Mem Fox says, conventions are the good table manners of written instruction. They are important - but not central - to teaching students to write.
Ruth Culham suggests four points to keep in mind as you teach conventions:
Be sure students understand that editing and revising are different.
Expect correctness, but only according to appropriate developmental level and age.
Value experimentation right along with correcness. It's a balancing act.
Be patient. Learning to use conventions well takes time.
CONVENTIONS
In working with teachers, one pet peeve in writing seems to consistently emerge: lack of conventions. This new world of instant messaging and text messaging has somehow left the rules of convention behind. As Mem Fox says, conventions are the good table manners of written instruction. They are important - but not central - to teaching students to write.
Ruth Culham suggests four points to keep in mind as you teach conventions:
- Be sure students understand that editing and revising are different.
- Expect correctness, but only according to appropriate developmental level and age.
- Value experimentation right along with correcness. It's a balancing act.
- Be patient. Learning to use conventions well takes time.
(Culham, 2003)All's Well That Spells Well (Teaching That Makes Sense)
Conventions Handout (Madison, WI)
Lesson Ideas for Conventions